Mayor, Linda M. Kavanagh

Mayor Kavanagh's business career began as second in command at a book and magazine import company in New York City, which catered to specialized markets. She then went on to manage a salon and also became a published author.

Upon moving to Arizona with her husband and two sons, she became immersed in business and community service activities in her new hometown of Fountain Hills. Mayor Kavanagh was and is a member of many civic organizations including the Cultural & Civic Association, Fearless Kitty Rescue, ADOG, Fountain Hills Republican Club, Falcon Boosters, American Legion Auxiliary, PTO, Sister Cities Foundation, Arizona Latino Republican Association, Library Association, Friend of the Chamber (past chair), Fountain Hills Coalition (sector leader), McDowell Park Association, Historical Society (past board member), and Chamber Ambassadors (past chair).

Mayor Kavanagh served on the Public Art Committee and created the Fountain Hills Docent-Guided Art Walk to showcase the town's world-renowned art collection. Mayor Kavanagh was also very active with the Visitors Bureau to spur tourism and economic development for the town.

Mayor Kavanagh is an honorary Captain with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department, was named Business Advocate of the Year by the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce and also served as its Board of Directors’ Chair. She was also named Fountain Hills Parks & Recreation Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Community Center Volunteer of the Year, and received the River of Time Museum Hero Award. Mayor Kavanagh has been the Eggstravaganza’s Hoppy Bunny for the past 20 years. Mayor Kavanagh leads an active Mayor’s Youth Council, made up of freshmen to senior high school students.

Mayor Kavanagh was inducted into the Lower Verde River Valley Hall of Fame in 2009, as a tribute to her many years of active involvement with the town's civic, cultural, service, religious, and business communities.

During Mayor Kavanagh’s six years in office, she sat on the Maricopa Association of Government’s Regional Council, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council Board of Directors, and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council Mayors and Supervisors Council. In addition, she was elected to the Maricopa Association of Government’s Economic Development Committee to represent the East Valley. Mayor Kavanagh represents Fountain Hills as a member of the Arizona League of Cities and Towns and was elected to sit on that board’s Executive Committee. She also chairs the League’s Neighborhoods, Quality of Life, and Sustainability Policy Committee.

Mayor Linda Kavanagh earned a BA degree in English and Education from Queens College in New York City and is an A+ certified computer repair technician, graphic designer, and unpaid Director of Constituent Services for her husband, State Senator John Kavanagh. She and her husband have two sons and one grandson.